Closure for fruit-jars



No. 622,400. Y Patented Apr. 4, |899. A. vSMELKER.

CLUSUBE FOR FRUIT JARS.

(Application filed Aug. 3, 1897.)

PATENT Futon;

ANGELINE SMELKER, OF- NORTH STAR, OHIO.

CLOSURE FOR FRUIT-JARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 622,400, dated April 4,1899.

Application filed August 3, 1897.

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, ANGELINE SME'LKER, of North Star, in the county ofDarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Closures for Fruit-Jars; I and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention,suoli as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in closures for fruit-jars, theobject of the same being to provide a device of this character whichwill hermetically seal the open end of a jar and possesses theadditional advantage of presenting a construction that is simple andcomparatively inexpensive.

To these ends the invention consists in providing the upper end of thejar with an external annular groove or recess below its mouth and aninternal annular shoulder in connection with a lid or cover fittingwithin the jar upon the shoulder, a rubber band seated within theannulargroove, a flexible rubber cap having a pendent annular ringfitting over the upper end of the jar and provided with hooks, and arubber or flexible'y cord wrapped around the depending portion of thecap to bring it in closer contact with the band and engaging the hookson said rim to secure the ends of the cord.

In the following specification I have entered into a detail descriptionof my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and tonumerals thereon, which designate the different parts.

What I consider to be the novel features of construction arespecifically set forth in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this speciication, Figure l is a sideelevation of a jar, showing my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view through the jar. Fig. 3 is a'side elevation ofthe upper end of the jar.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, l designates the jar, which maybe made up of glass, earthenware, or other material, and is preferablyof the configuration illustrated herein, though it will be obvious thatthe closure could be applied to a jar of any style or shape. In formingthe jar the upper end Serial No. 646,963.l (No model.)

nection with a rubber cap or closure 5,which Y covers the open end ofthe jar and is of a size presenting a depending rim which eX- tendsbelow the band. The rim of the rubber closure or cap is preferably ofsmaller diameter than the neck to require .it to be stretched over thesaid neck, and thereby embrace the same closely. Ordinarily this wouldbe sufficient to form an air-tight cover for the jar; but in order topreclude any possibility of air finding its way between the rim of thecover and neck of the jar a rubber or flexible cord 6 is wrapped aroundthe rim at the point thereof over the rubber band and brings it in closeand secure contact therewith.

My invention includes certain attachments or devices for holding therubber cord in place, consisting of wire hooks '7 and 8, into which theends' of the cord are passed after being irst provided with rings. Toaccommodate the' length of the cord, a series of the hooks 8 arearranged around the lower edge of the rim of the iexible cap or cover,as shown.

- Before placing the rubber closure or cap on the end of the jar a diskor lid 9 is placed within the mouth to rest upon the annular shouldertherein, the said disk or lid having a knob or handle l0, which extendsupward slightly above the mouth to be engaged by the upper part of thecap and held in place thereby. This lid not only forms a partitionbetween the fruit and rubber cap, but also provides a covering which isemployed when the cap is removed and the contents of the jar are beingused.

From the foregoing it Wil-l be apparent that I provide a closure forfruit-jars that will effectively exclude air and serve to properly keepthe fruit, the particular construction and arrangement providing adevice that can be quickly and conveniently applied and is readilyremoved when it is desired to have access to the jar. It Will beunderstood that the rubber caps can be manufactured at a small cost, andthe expense of the other parts is also very trivial.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a closure for fruit-jars, the combination with a jar having anannular groove or recess in the outer surface of its neck, of a rubberband seated in said recess, a flexible rubber cap or closure having apendent annular rim adapted to be forced over the neck of the jar andthe rubber band thereon to frietionally engage the latter, a iiexiblecord wrapping said rim and band, and means for engaging the ends of saidcord, substantially v as described.

neck of the jar to frietionally engage the rubber band and to press on-I he handle of the lid for holding the latter in place, a flexible cordWrapped around said rim and band, and means on said rim for engaging theends of the cord, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a closure for fruit-jars, the combination with the jar, of arubber band encircling its neck, a flexible rubber cap or closure havinga pendent rim placed over the mouth of the jar to engage the rubberband, hooks on said pendent rim, and an elastic or flexible cord Wrappedaround the rim of the cap or cover over the rubber band and having itsends in engagement with the hooks on the pendent rim, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. y

ANGELINE SMELKER.

IVitnesses:

T. C. MAHER, ORA D. STOCKER.

